René Bartos: I am so excited to be able to chat with author Jen Anyong today! Welcome to Writers’ Rumpus, Jen! Your new picture book, The Ghost Who Saved Halloween, illustrated by Kaly Quarles and published by HarperCollins, was released on July 21, 2026. This is a not-too-spooky rhyming Halloween picture book that Publisher’s Weekly called an “entertaining debut” with “Saturday morning cartoon vibes,” and I agree!
This is the first in the Who Saved the Holidays series. Wow! Congrats! And I understand that October 2nd, the day this article will be published on Writers’ Rumpus blog, is your birthday. Happy Birthday to you, Jen!!! I am so grateful you are willing to share your story and help us get ready to celebrate Halloween. Can you tell us a little about your journey into the kidlit world?
Jen Anyong: My journey into the kidlit world was like a slow motion trudge until I discovered the Writing Community on Twitter and the SCBWI. Before then, I bought some books on hooking agents and purchased a membership to some site that was supposed to help me find literary agencies. But, once I started connecting with people, I began learning by simply watching others’ journeys and successes, and that helped me find my footing. By September of 2021, I was finally working smarter, and that’s something I will always remember.
RB: So true! The kidlit writing communities and connections really help us build our path and maintain momentum. What inspires you to write for children? What is your “big why?”
JA: I’d always been a writer and edited professionally for my job, but when I had my daughter and left the workplace, eventually, my desire grew. Like so many parents and teachers who write for kids, everywhere I turned, children and animals were doing things that I thought were hilarious or wonderful –so naturally, I wanted to write about it! But things got a lot more serious for me when my daughter went to pre-school. I found myself subbing often, and when I’d read aloud to the children, their joy was infectious – I just knew that I wanted to be a part of that world. So when she went to school full time, I used my days to start building my author career.
RB: So inspirational for kidlit writers out there! Hold on to your dream of becoming an author and keep preparing and working toward your goals in your own way. Please tell us the story behind the story for The Ghost Who Saved Halloween. What was the spark for this delightful not-so-spooky story?
JA: This is pretty unusual … actually, the HarperCollins team asked me to write a Ghost/Halloween book AFTER they fell in love with a Turkey/Thanksgiving book we submitted. And so was birthed the Who Saved the Holidays series!
What was really wild: they wanted the Halloween book to come FIRST and therefore, at the time we accepted the offer, I had NOT YET written what would become my debut picture book.
When the deal came in, I thought very hard about what made the Turkey/Thanksgiving story so special and then carried those two or three elements into the Ghost/Halloween story. In terms of the actual storytelling, as an October baby, a former AP Lit student, and an eternal lover of Halloween, it was sort of in my spirit to write a ghost book to the tune of Edgar Allan Poe. And bonus: I’d spent many an hour watching ghost hunting television shows in the past, so perhaps there lies my advantage?
In terms of the spark for the story – the title was decided by the publisher, so I had to ask myself, how could a ghost save Halloween? And why would he need to? Then I worked backwards. I thought about how desensitized children can seem these days and what would happen if Ghost couldn’t get their attention. I also read all of the recent ghost picture books, just to make sure I brought something fresh to the Harper team. All in all, it was a really fun process!
RB: What a great backstory. The idea for Ghost started with Turkey! I love that you utilized Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven as an inspiration for the rhyming text. Did you find it challenging to adapt this for a children’s book, or was it one of those (rare) times where the words just popped into your mind as you were writing?
JA: Yes, I instantly flocked to The Raven for all of its spooky vibes and knew many adults would find it familiar. Then, I imagined what a pleasant surprise it would be for kids when they get to middle school, and going one further, I wondered if this early exposure could make a positive impact for students’ future comprehension of Poe. One can hope!! But, it certainly all came naturally for me, and I felt very very blessed as it came together.
RB: This adds excellent curriculum potential too! I love that the story has commercial appeal but also can be used for learning in schools and libraries. You even have information about Ghost’s educator companion posted on your website. For our readers, I want to call attention to your guest blog post on School Library Journal’s Fuse#8 Blog about your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for how The Ghost Who Saved Halloween and its Classroom Companion can be used to lay a rich foundation for students’ future learning.
Another aspect of the story I love is the little spider that appears on each spread. Kids love these little details in picture books! Tell us how Spider came to be in the story and what role the little guy plays.
JA: Spider was something I’d hoped would happen, but in terms of the writing, I was encouraged to make Ghost solo. Then much to my surprise, Spider showed up in the art and he is Ghost’s greatest champion. He can be seen in nearly every scene, helping, commiserating, or comforting Ghost, truly contributing to all of his spooky and heroic endeavors!
RB: Awww. I love how Spider showed up in the art as the companion for Ghost. The illustrations are so adorable! Authors and illustrators often work separately so each can bring their own creative vision to a book, although I have heard of cases in which they collaborate. Did you connect with Kaly Quarles during this book’s creation?
JA: I’d say we were connected (like we supported each other on Instagram and had lovely little chats in DMs), but we didn’t directly discuss the project in any manner. I believe all conversations about the project flowed from Kaly to the art director, and to the editor to me. All very professional, but always incredibly friendly and encouraging.
RB: Wonderful to see this professional and encouraging partnership and how you came together to create picture book magic! Do you have a favorite interior spread in the book? Please share and tell us what you love about it.
JA: I think both Kaly and I agree that the second spread of the story is our favorite! It is SO MUCH fun with so many interesting details. And, I think it’s a page that kids will want to linger on while cuddled up with their grownup.
We see Ghost napping, but he’s interrupted by the rap rap rapping at his chamber door. Next, we follow him down the stairs and into his entryway where he peers through his peephole to discover trick-or-treaters!!
The spread is just a wealth of delightful things to look upon! PLUS a fun side note: THE TURKEY WHO SAVED THANKSGIVING (coming next fall) has a similar action and detail-packed spread that is also AMAZING, so I think it’s going to be a fun thing to look forward to throughout the series!
RB: I agree wholeheartedly. This is my favorite spread as well! And I am so excited we will get to meet Turkey and have another chance to see amazing artwork by Kaly for Thanksgiving 2027. THE TURKEY WHO SAVED THANKSGIVING is on my to-read list!
Jen, your book was released in late July. On social media, you were doing a lot of fun events and dressing up in the cutest costumes ever! I loved how you got everyone engaged and excited about Halloween. Would you share a little more about how you put this plan together, anything you learned in the process, and suggestions for kidlit writers who have books coming out in the future?
JA: I don’t know that there was a BIG plan, per se, but when I discovered the wonderful and silly concept of Summerween (and all that could be done with it), it made things much simpler. Two important things that made a big impact: I read the book Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb, which helped prepare me for all that was to come. And second, I began following Halloween influencers. There are a TON, and it is definitely an entire sub-culture. So after that, my Instagram became highly Halloween, and I just watched what everyone was up to – that often turned into inspiration for the things I did but honestly, sometimes I even surprised myself with my silliness!
RB: I know your family is very important to you and you have a darling daughter who attends and supports you at book events. What a treat! Sharing books with kids is so important. And you are passing along your love for writing and reading to her. Tell us a little more about your family and how they inspire your writing.
JA: Oooo, all of my best ideas are really OUR ideas. My husband has a truly off-the-wall mind (he’s an industrial engineer) and every once in a while, there’s real gold to be mined from that head of his. My daughter is really sweet, funny, kind, and wise and growing up alongside her is my greatest joy. They’re both always surprising me! I’m so blessed to have them as my book tour roadies AND invaluable members of my creativity team.
RB: What a great team! I can see why your stories are so creative and fun! Do you have additional words of inspiration and helpful tips for kidlit writers? For those who are just starting out in writing children’s books, what is something you wish you had known when you first started out in your kidlit journey?
JA: My advice is Read Read Read voraciously and Write Write Write what makes your heart happy! I wish I’d known about SCBWI sooner, because those relationships and opportunities have made all the difference in the world. I sort of wish I would have waited to query … but then again, that’s what helps a writer learn, and helps us weigh if we’re on the right track with a manuscript … or NOT. Ha!
RB: Excellent advice! Could you share how you find support in writing? Do you have a community of writers or critique groups that continue to help inspire your work?
JA: I am a member of multiple communities: The Writing Barn, SCBWI, and 12X12PB – all of whom played a significant role in building my community. The people who I most confide in ebbs and flows with people’s busyness and bandwidth, but I know when it really matters, I have these communities to help me through both tough times and amazing ones!
RB: Yes, these writing connections are so important! Is there a fun fact about yourself you would like to share?
JA: Besides being an author, mom, wife, and caregiver, I am also a part-owner and the social media manager for the swankiest little jazz bar in our city’s downtown area. It’s been quite a ride being on the ownership team, and I love how I’ve built solid relationships with tons of OKC’s jazz musicians – some as they first come on the scene and some true veterans – such a joy!
RB: Amazing! I love how you support your family and community. Jen, thank you so much for sharing your work and your kidlit journey with us. I enjoyed getting to know you better and for the opportunity to learn more about The Ghost Who Saved Halloween. What is next for you? We can’t wait to see more of your work!
JA: Next fall, The Turkey Who Saved Thanksgiving will release, and in Summer 2028, Pepita the Vampire Puppy. Meanwhile, I’m busy with interviews, Book Festivals, and School Visits – all while trying to write new fun and funny stories I hope will sell like hot cakes!
RB: Wonderful. Thank you again, Jen. We look forward to enjoying more of your books in the future. And again, the happiest of birthdays to you today!
And now for the giveaway instructions for prizes to three lucky winners! For a chance to win a spooktacular hardcover copy of The Ghost Who Saved Halloween or one of two PB critiques by the marvelous Jen Anyong, please leave a comment below. Make sure to tell us which prize you would like. Also, feel free to share this post on social media! If you do and let us know, you’ll earn another chance to win your chosen prize. The winners (U.S. addresses only) will be randomly selected and notified on October 9th, 2026.
Jen has dreamed up stories of sorts since elementary school but fell in love with picture books while teaching at her daughter’s preschool. As she read aloud to the children—their faces beaming with wonder—Jen just knew she needed to write picture books! Most of her stories are inspired by her family. Between her mischievous dog, clever daughter, and humorous husband, you’ll find them laughing together, work-shopping all of the silliness that makes picture book magic. Jen’s Hungarian heritage mixed with her husband’s Chinese heritage makes for lots of multi-cultural fun and an array of holidays and traditions. Jen invites you to find her on social media @jenanyong.
Website: https://authorjenanyong.com/
